The Commissioner for Sports Development in Ogun state, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, has assured that the state is ready to host the National Sports Festival, schedule for May 16 to 30, 2025.
Speaking with Blueprint on a facility tour, Isiaka said the state will test run the facilities with its state festival by the third week in April, 2025 in readiness to host the nation.
“Thank you very much, of course as we go around and I am sure you you can attest with the fact that almost all the facilities is ready.
“We now have a brand new tartan track, the scoreboard, the public address system, the CCTV cameras has been installed and functional, the pitch is being laid and in few days, it will be completed, and of course the expansion of the the VIP box is almost done.
“We have four tennis courts ready, the handball court, and the swimming pools is almost done too. These are brand new facilities that we are putting in place.
“We are going to test all the facilities probably the third week In April with our state sports festival. Recall that the Unity touch is going round the states, so in the next two weeks, we will unveil the mascot, the theme song to show that we are fully ready to host the festival”, he said.
Isiaka however, said Ogun state will ensure good preparation of its state contingents for the festival, but will not be seeking a win at all cost at the detriment of developing sports in the state.
“Yes, we want to host and win but not at the expense of sports development. The tendency to import machineries to win at all cost will not be deployed by Ogun state.
“We are not so desperate to win at all cost. The essence of these facilities is beyond the sports festival. These facilities is essential to benefit the younger generation, and spur them to be champions now, and in the future”, he added.
Meanwhile, the Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved N16.5 million to the 33 sport associations, just as the state contingents are expected to commence close-door camping with immediate effect.